Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho lashed out at a Spanish radio journalist, criticising him for saying on air that some of his players felt they were being spied upon by a member of staff.
“In the world of football, me and my staff are “top” and in the world of journalism, you are a shit,” Mourinho had said to Radio Marca’s Anton Meana.
Meana drew the ire of the Portuguese manager for telling listeners that the players didn’t feel comfortable speaking in the presence of goalkeeping coach Silvino Louro.
Mourinho fiercely contested the suggestion, retorting: “You have to monitor if your sources tell you the truth. There are 21 players in the changing room who get along perfectly with Silvino and, and like everywhere, three black sheep that harm the group.”
Stevens replaced as Schalke coach
Schalke 04 yesterday sacked coach Huub Stevens in the wake of their 3-1 home defeat to Freiburg which left them with just two points from a possible 18 in their last six Bundesliga games.
“The plan had been to continue with Huub Stevens during the winter break and talk about the future, but the board met last night and took the decision,” general manager Horst Heldt said with Schalke having dropped from second to seventh in the league.
Former under-17 coach Jens Keller took training yesterday and will be in charge for tomorrow’s German Cup last 16 match at home to Mainz and until the end of the season.
Redknapp thanks ‘amazing’ Taarabt
Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp showered praise on match-winner Adel Taarabt after the Moroccan scored twice to give QPR their first victory of the league season against Fulham.
Taarabt failed to impose himself under Redknapp during the pair’s time together at Tottenham Hotspur, but the QPR manager said he never doubted the 23-year-old’s ability.
“Taarabt is an amazing talent. I sold him at Tottenham, but I never wanted to do that,” Redknapp said.
“He is a fantastic footballer and he has the ability to be up there with the best. I thought it was one of the all-round great individual performances.”
Wilshere in Arsenal contract talks
Jack Wilshere has given Arsenal a timely boost by revealing that he is in talks about signing a new contract with the club.
The London side were eliminated from the League Cup by fourth-tier Bradford City on Tuesday and have fallen well off the pace in the Premier League ahead of today’s trip to bottom club Reading.
Wilshere, who has just returned from a long-term injury, said: “I am talking to the club and I probably will be committing my future to the club in the next couple of weeks.
“I know the team are going through a bad stage at the moment, but that is like any team.”
Ifill claims racial abuse from fans
Former Millwall, Sheffield United and Crystal Palace midfielder Paul Ifill has accused fans of racially abusing him during an A-League match which took place yesterday.
The 33-year-old, who currently plays for Wellington Phoenix, was allegedly called a derogatory racial term when he was substituted in the 61st minute of his side’s 3-1 defeat at Adelaide United.
“Bad times poor result and racist abuse from a very small minority of fans,” Ifill tweeted after the game.
Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert would not discuss the allegations. “It’s not for me to confirm or deny, it’s best to go through that process and talk to Adelaide,” he said.
Clichy demands more spirit
Gael Clichy has told his team-mates to forget last season’s title glory and roll up their sleeves for a fight.
The France international helped City to a battling 3-1 victory at Newcastle on Saturday to ensure they maintained pace with arch-rivals Manchester United who are six points clear at the top.
Clichy said: “The only thing we have been missing this year is probably a bit of spirit. From last season, people expect more from us – our fans, ourselves.
“Last season was a great season, but like the manager says, we have to put this behind us and start to work.”
Ranocchia laments penalty decision
Inter defender Andrea Ranocchia insisted yesterday that not only was he tripped in the box in the final minute of his side’s 1-0 defeat to Lazio, but “the referees had already warned” Michael Ciani.
“Before he dragged me down yet again, the referees had already warned Ciani. Still they didn’t blow the whistle. You’ll get nowhere with warnings,” Ranocchia lamented.
“Ciani pulled me down at every single set-piece. The goalline referee was there, I don’t know how he didn’t see it.
“He was holding me with both arms. All he needed was to pin me down with a foot and it was complete...”